Rating: 
Summary: Just Whose Story Is This?
Review: In the future, the Persona company owns 90% of the world's surface and rules what they own through a restrictive and violent tyranny. One of the few bastions of freedom not owned by the Persona company is Shinjuku Tokyo, The Darkside of Tokyo, the most dangerous place around, but also the one place with true freedom. Few people stand up to the Persona tyranny, bands of rebel terrorists fight to destroy Persona and their main computer systems located on their space satellite home called Heaven.Fortunes begin to change when a mysterious figure-a man riding with a coach and four horses-arrives from the fourth dimension. Why is he here? And what is his message of renewal that he brings to the disparate characters of this saga? He calls himself Darkside, and appears to be a strange mystic that somehow unites characters with a deeper part of themselves. Then there is the single escaped terrorist who seeks haven in Shinjuku and dreams of a world free of control by the Persona corporation, Tatsuya. His life and mission become tangled up with a band of misfit rebels in Shinjuku, lead by Mai-a street-smart blond woman with an inner core of steel she uses to protect herself from her past. And he befriends Selia, a troubled woman who's family was lost to the tyranny of Persona. Other characters abound, almost all of them allowing tantalizing glimpses of their lives, but never quite explaining what it all means. These characters are never cute or whiny, maintaining a sense of gritty reality in a world gone wrong. I quite enjoyed the story and the ideas presented, but for anyone who is looking to have the questions raised by the anime also answered may be disappointed. By far the strongest element in this is the characters and their transformation through the story. Selia and Mai especially dominate the scenes, unusually strong and self-sufficient women for an anime. There is a bit of frontal nudity (a tortured prisoner) and some rather sadistic violence (of the same prisoner) for the first few minutes of the anime. Beyond this, most of the violence is fairly tame, with some gun battles and several deaths, but not extremely visually graphic. The plot never quite crystallizes the way I hoped. The telling feels more like the opening of a complex story arc that never went any further. The introduction of "Darkside Blues", performed by a street-player was a decidedly disconcerting addition. The tune never quite fit the story for me. The artistry is excellent. Hedeyuki Kikuchi whose talents are also seen in WICKED CITY, DEMON CITY SHINJUKU, and VAMPIRE HUNTER D lends a dark, detailed and slightly gothic edged style to this futuristic anime. The dub on this particular video is decent, although at times the translation feels a little too obscure, and I'm hopeful to find a subtitled version to compare. Looking for a clear-cut story? This probably isn't for you. But if you're a viewer who likes the unusual side of anime and enjoys character development and the artistry of anime, I recommend you check out this particular anime. Happy viewing! Shanshad ^_^
Rating:
Summary: nice visuals, interesting story
Review: The one consistent complaint I hear about Darkside Blues is that the plot is "too confusing". Honestly, people, how do you even manage to tie your shoes in the morning? I concede that it might be a little confusing for some people, if the only plot development you usually have to worry about is "gee, i wonder why her clothes are exploding off her body *this* time?". Puh. Lease. Intellectual snob I may be, but I'm as much of an imagery wh*re as the next person.. and Darkside Blues is really pretty. Well, okay: Darkside [the "Dream Doctor" (we never learn his real name)] is really pretty. Nice visuals and an interesting story.
Rating: 
Summary: entertaining and challenging
Review: this anime is a wonderful piece of work. it's dark and rather existential, and leaves you wondering, instead of with a sad or happy ending. it may not be to some people's taste, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes something a little off the beaten path.
Rating:
Summary: An intriguing anime with a memorable character
Review: This anime remains apart from most in so much as it has an adult plot that combines the best elements of storytelling with brutal violence. The story is set in a Bladerunner environment with one Mega-corporation owning most of Japan. There are small areas of rebellion known as the Darkside of Tokyo. Far more interesting than this typical plot is the arrival of a possibly supernatural stranger. To reveal more would spoil a well crafted plot. The animation is exellent, the music suits the pace of the movie. The dubbing is also good, and the overall quality of the anime is very high. A manga recommended for fans of wicked city, vampire hunter 'D' or any horror anime. Thus it makes an exellent purchase.
Rating:
Summary: The Darkside of human nature
Review: This DVD was thought provoking and beautifully rendered. A Family Corporation called Persona Century owns 90% of the earth. The only free place is called Darkside, a walled off "Escape from New York" style city where only the rebellious choose to live. Enter "Darkside" a strange, powerful man who arrives from another dimension where he was sealed away by his own family (see above) when he was 3 years old. He utilizes "dream therapy" to open the hearts and numbed minds of those who will carry on the struggle to depose the all powerful Persona Century. It seems to me that this movie should be followed up by a series, because it leaves many questions unanswered. But that's my only complaint. The music and animation were well worth a second and even third viewing!
Rating: 
Summary: I don't know what YOU guys are seeing...
Review: This film is junk. If you wanted to win the Nod-o-rama thon contest, this one is one to put in the VHS or DVD. Wow the boring pace of the film and storyline just made me want to eat my arm. Be ready to put tape on your eyelids to hold them up when you watch this borefest. As for the the storyline, there was none. It was merely a confusing piece of [junk]. The action...next to none. Wow the reviewers must be [crazy] if they rated this [junk] 4-5 stars. As you keep watching this film you are constantly tempted to hit the fast forward button every 2 seconds. Hell if you fast forwarded to the end you would miss much. And truly by the end of the film you have both of your hands on your head trying to snap your own neck and yelling "break break please break."
Rating: 
Summary: Wow who writes these reviews
Review: This film is junk. If you wanted to win the Nod-o-rama thon contest, this one is one to put in the VHS or DVD. Wow the boring pace of the film and storyline just made me want to eat my arm. Be ready to put tape on your eyelids to hold them up when you watch this borefest. As for the the storyline, there was none. It was merely a confusing piece of [junk]. The action...next to none. Wow the reviewers must be [crazy] if they rated this [junk] 4-5 stars. As you keep watching this film you are constantly tempted to hit the fast forward button every 2 seconds. Hell if you fast forwarded to the end you would miss much. And truly by the end of the film you have both of your hands on your head trying to snap your own neck and yelling "break break please break."
Rating:
Summary: An evocative gothic tale...
Review: This is a dark, sparce tale of a future where one family controls the technology in the world and uses it to oppress and abuse its citizens. The only place where freedom still exists is in a slum of Tokyo called The Darkside. One member of the ruling family doesn't even want that place to exist and moves to distroy it. It is when a dark stranger mysteriously appears one day that the story really gets going. It is told more though images and sound than through dialog, so be patient. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Dark stranger helping a small band of rebels
Review: This is a very well done anime. Story pace is just right and keeps you rivited to the screen. The story takes place in, where else, futuristic Tokyo. At this time, most all of the city is controled by a mega-corporation. But, there are a few 'free zones" or pockets of rebellion. This story takes place in one such part of Tokyo called Kabuki Town, or the Darkside of Tokyo. The anime revolves around a small band of rebels and a dark stranger who emerges from within via a cryptic looking horse drawn carraige. It is a nice blend of sci-fi and mystic fantasy. The DVD version allows choice of language and subtitles. This is an excellent anime. Well worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: Wow. I'm Completely Amazed.
Review: This was, quite simply, the worst anime movie I ever sat down to watch. It's the worst one I've ever purchased, that's for sure. Blues singing (very, very bad blues singing) mixed with the old west in the middle of a futuristic city and a dark rider in a carriage... if done well it could have actually worked out quite nicely, the concept could have been interesting. But this isn't well done. It's not even medium rare. It's road kill. It's just bad. Since every other review has been good, I have to say: Sorry if you liked it and I've made you mad, but I really think it's crap. You can call me bad names and say I'm stupid if it'll make you feel better.
| 
